Baby Humpback Whale Crochet Pattern

Yay! It’s time to share my Baby Humpback Whale crochet pattern with you all! Thank you to all of you for the kind words and encouragement on Facebook and Instagram as I tried to figure out the best pattern for this little guy, and for all your patience as I worked and reworked the shaping and overall look. I’m super happy with how it has all turned out, so let’s get into how this little whale took shape!

My friend at work showed me this denim whale a long time ago; it’s something she makes for just about every baby shower or friend’s gift. I always thought it was adorable, but I never got around to making one of my own, until now. I had the thought that since we crochet to create fabric for clothing, why couldn’t we create fabric to use in a sewing pattern. Would it be possible to replicate a sewing template using crochet stitches and then seam it together as if it were cut from fabric?

One great thing about crochet is that it forms curves really well, which is not something so easily done with fabric. I decided that I would create a curved piece for the top of the whale and a separate curved piece for the bottom of the whale and eliminate the top and bottom seam from the Denim Whale instructions. For my first attempt, I used an H hook and worsted weight yarn. I should have thought about the hook size a bit more, because the large hook made the whale a little too loose, so it stretched out when I stuffed it. Because of the stretching, the signature mouth definition of the humpback whale got lost and it looked kinda like a two-toned torpedo. My family still recognized it as a whale, but I wasn’t feeling too sure about it.

Deep down, I knew what I wanted/needed to do, but the first whale took a week to make, and I was a bit burnt out by the figuring out the shape of the mouth. But with encouragement from all of you, I knew I just need to take a breather, and then get back into it with a better vision. This time, I wanted the whale to be shorter and fatter, more cute and less like a long torpedo. I also wanted to use brighter colors, and thanks to my collaboration with Lion Brand, they sent me some Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice yarn in Denim Mist and Silver Blue to play with. It gave the same look as my inspiration Denim Whale, and it was fun to use a variegated yarn. I’m not always very adventurous when it comes to colored yarn, so this was a little bit exciting to see how the variegation worked out!

The whale is worked in rows, but the row is folded in half and sewn together at the nose to create the front seam. I started in a similar way as the first whale, but I started winging it pretty quickly, creating a more exaggerated shaping to counter any stretching that might happen. I also used a smaller G hook with the same weight yarn, and used a very tight gauge, so the fabric was very tightly woven and less prone to stretching when stuffed. Then, to be honest, I just flew by the seat of my pants a bit! On the first whale, I was so picky about the shaping and kept frogging rows, but I’ve since learned that it doesn’t have to be perfect because overstuffing the whale can smooth out a lot of minor issues.

I also redid the whale tail in a completely new shape than the original template. It is worked as part of the top and bottom piece, and a combination of double crochet stitches and slip stitches creates the slight curve and divot in the center of the tail.

Once all the pieces were done (top, bottom, both fins), it was time to sew and stuff! First, sew the fin pieces together using slip stitches all the way around. Make sure that the fins are pointing in the right direction with the right color on top! My friend often makes the mistake of making both fins identical, but they’re actually mirror images of each other. Then, holding the top and bottom pieces together, sew the tail top and bottom together using slip stitches around the tail, then cut the yarn, leaving a nice long tail, about 2 or 3 feet. This yarn tail needs to be long enough to sew around the whole whale. I used my favorite mattress stitch to sew the body of the whale together. Once I got to where the fins should be attached, I decided to sew the fins in as part of the body, instead of attaching the fins afterwards. This was also inspired by fabric sewing, where you’d sew right over the fin when seaming two pieces together. Before you close off the whale, add the safety eyes and stuff the whale! I found that overstuffing the whale helps give it that puffy, defined look. You don’t need to stuff the fins or the tail. Close off the whale, sew in any loose ends, squish the whale a bit to shape it, and you’re done! How cool is that?

Now this little guy really looks like a humpback whale, and the exaggerated mouth shaping ended up working out well. It’s also definitely bigger in the head and looks less like a torpedo, which makes it also sit better. Anyways, I hope you like it!

If you’d like to print this pattern, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free and comment-free PDF from either Craftsy (US buyers) or Etsy (international buyers). The PDF file is 10 pages of easy to read text and instructional photos, and is available for download immediately after payment. Or, if you’re on Ravelry, click here to add this project to your Ravelry queue!

I’m really excited to share that Lion Brand has made this project into a Baby Humpback Whale crochet kit that includes the printable pattern and the exact yarn you’ll need! There’s a few other supplies that you’ll need to get on your own, but this exact colorway of the Vanna’s Choice is harder to find in stores and Lion Brand is offering the kit at 20% off!

Thank you for your encouragement and your purchases, as they all help me to continue to provide these fun free patterns!

Abbreviations

sc2tog – single crochet decrease: Insert hook into front loop of next st. Without yarning over, insert hook into front loop of next st. Yarn over. Pull through 2 loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining loop on hook.

Pattern Notes

Overall size = approximately 17 inches long and 13 inches from fin tip to fin tip.

Turn at the end of each Row.

Most rows are the reflected over the halfway point. In other words, they are palindromes! The exceptions are the single decrease stitches.

Anytime it’s written just X sc, it means work 1 sc in each of next X stitches. Eg. “6 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 6 sc” = Work 1 sc in each of next 6 st, 2 sc in each of next 2 st, 1 sc in each of next 6 st.

Rows 20-21: the last stitch is the 2nd chain of the ‘Ch 2’ from the previous row.

“Row 37: Ch 1. Work 1 sc, 1 sc2tog, 20 sc, 1 sc2tog, 20 sc, 1 sc2tog, 1 sc. (45)” = Work 1 sc in first st. Work the next 2 st together into 1 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the next 20 st. Work the next 2 st together into 1 sc. Work 1 sc in each of the next 20 st. Work the next 2 st together into 1 sc. Work 1 sc in the last st. => You start with 48 stitches in the previous row, and you are decreasing into 45 stitches.

Row 49 is where the work is folded to create the fin. The previous row is 38 stitches. Fold your work in half, so there’s 19 stitches in each half. Work 1 sc in first st. Work the next 2 st together into 1 sc. Work 1 sc in each of next 12 st (all as normal). With the work folded in half, you should see 4 stitches left before the turn. Work 1 sc in each of those next 4 st, but work through all 4 loops to secure them together. You’ve now worked through 19 stitches and it looks like it’s the end of the “row”. Ch 1 and turn. Work 1 sl st into each of the previous 4 sc that you created. Now, there should be 15 unworked stitches left in the row. Work 1 sc in each of 12 st (normal 2 loops only at this point). Work the next 2 st together into 1 sc. Work 1 sc in last st.

Rows 74-76: Keep your slip stitches fairly loose so that it’s easier to work a new row of slip stitches into slip stitches. Otherwise, these 4 stitches get a bit tricky. This is to create the little divot in the tail.

Whale assembly uses a combination of slip stitches and the mattress stitch.

Below instructions are to attach the fins by working them directly into the mattress stitch while joining the whale together. Alternatively, attach the fins by sewing them directly onto the finished whale.

Humpback Whale Crochet Pattern

WHALE TOP – Using Color A

Row 1: Chain 11.

Row 2: Starting from the second chain from hook, work 1 sc in each st across. (10)

Row 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (10)

Row 4: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in first st, 3 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 3 sc, 2 sc in last st. (14)

Row 5: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (14)

Row 6: Ch 1. Work 6 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 6 sc. (16)

Row 7: Ch 1. Work 7 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 7 sc. (18)

Row 8: Ch 1. Work 8 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 8 sc. (20)

Row 9-11: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (20)

Row 12: Ch 1. Work 9 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 9 sc. (22)

Row 13: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in first st, 20 sc, 2 sc in last st. (24)

Row 14: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in first st, 10 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 10 sc, 2 sc in last st. (28)

Row 15: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across (28)

Row 16: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in first st, 26 sc, 2sc in last st. (30)

Row 17: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in first st, 13 sc, 2 sc in next 2 st, 13 sc, 2 sc in last st. (34)

Row 18: Ch 1. Work 2 sc in first st, 32 sc, 2 sc in last st. (36)

Row 19: Ch 2 – counts as stitch. Work 1 hdc in first st, 34 sc, 2 hdc in last st. (38)

Row 20: Ch 2 – counts as stitch. Work 1 hdc in first st, 36 sc, 2 hdc in last st. (40)

Row 49: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first st, 1 sc2tog, 12 sc. Work 1 sc in each of next 4 st, through all 4 loops. Ch 1, turn. Work 1 sl st in each of next 4 st. Work 12 sc, 1 sc2tog, 1 sc in last st. (36) This is the end of the back fin. See Pattern Notes for more details on this row.

WHALE FINS (Make 4 – 2 in each color)

Row 2: Starting from the second chain from hook, work 1 sc in each st across. (5)

Row 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (5)

Row 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in last st. (6)

Row 5: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (6)

Row 6: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of next 5 st, 2 sc in last st. (7)

Row 7-8: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (7)

Row 9: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first st, 1 sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 4 st. (6)

Row 10: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (6)

Row 11: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first st, 1 sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 3 st. (5)

Row 12-15: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (5)

Row 16: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first st, 1 sc2tog, 1 sc in each of next 2 st. (4)

Row 17-18: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each st across. (4)

Row 19: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each of next 2 st, 1 sc2tog. (3)

Row 20: Ch 1. Work 1 sc2tog, then sl st into last st. (2)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

ASSEMBLY

Attach safety eyes at approx. Row 21 on Whale Top, about 3 stitches from either edge.

On both Whale Top and Whale Bottom, fold Row 1 in half, sew together to form nose.

Fins:

Hold a Color A fin and a Color B fin together, edges lined up. Using Color A, insert hook through both fins (4 loops together), and attach yarn. Work slip stitches evenly around the fin. Join to first sl st.

Repeat for the other set of fins, making sure they are lined up opposite the first set so that the straight edge of both fins face forward.

Whale Body:

Holding the Top and Bottom tail fins together, attach yarn at Row 66 (right side while facing the whale). Work slip stitches evenly around the tail fin until Row 66, left side.

Cut the yarn, leaving approximately a 4 ft tail for joining the whale body.

Pull yarn through last slip stitch at Row 66 to secure.

Use the mattress stitch to join the Whale Top to Whale Bottom, edge to edge, working from the left side while facing the whale, around the front and down the right side of the whale. Make sure to line up the rows on both pieces. Having stitch markers in place helps a lot!

At Row 28 of left side, work the mattress stitch through the left fin to sew the fin directly into the body. Fin should be attached from approximately Row 28 to Row 24.

Continue joining the Whale Top to Whale Bottom around the front of the whale.

At Row 24 of right side, work the mattress stitch through the right fin to sew the fin directly into the body. Fin should be attached from approximately Row 24 to Row 28.

Continue joining the Whale Top to Whale Bottom, stopping to stuff the whale, until Row 66.

Sew into where the yarn was first attached. Secure tightly and fasten off. Weave in ends.

All done!

Now that the whale is done, I’m so glad that I took the time to rework the pattern and really make it my own creation. This little baby has her own personality, and I hope you like her as much as I do! My kids are itching to get their hands on this baby, but I’m a little possessive this time. I know I shouldn’t be, gosh, but I kinda want to keep this guy to myself! Wouldn’t you?

I know some of you crochet for yourselves and friends and family, some of you don’t crochet, and some of you sell finished items from my patterns. For those of you who have Etsy shops and are willing to custom make this pattern for others, I’d love if you can take a moment to become part of my One Dog Woof Artisans Community! All you need to do is fill out this shop form with information about your shop, and it will be added to this spreadsheet for others to find you. I get requests all the time from people looking for finished products, and as we come upon the holiday season, I’d love to send business your way!

I received product from Lion Brand Yarn for this project and post. The pattern, all notes, instructions, photos and opinions are 100% my own.

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Please be respectful and do not sell or distribute this pattern in any way, especially as your own. Instead, share the original blog post link! You can sell finished products made from this pattern by giving credit to One Dog Woof as the pattern designer and linking to the blog post. If you have any questions regarding distribution or translation of this pattern, please see my Terms of Use. Thank you for your consideration!

Hi Thanks! it is great! I am trying to make it but in row 49 I can´t get ir really. Is that after making row 49 I have 18 st and in row 50 I should have 28? I don´t get really this part, could you help me?
Thanks!

EDIT: I’ve figured out Row 49 — those 4 stitches are actually stitching both sides together in order to make the little fin. Once stitched together you sl st (slip stitch) your way back down the 4 and continue onto the remaining stitches in the row. It’s actually quite genius and simple and I feel a little silly having been stumped.

Sorry i still didn’t get it 🙁 Dont know what to do with “work through all 4 loops to secure them” and don’t understand why in row 50 i have only 28 st. Just didn’t get what is happend between 49 and 50 rows. Could someone explain this to me please?

I’m having issues with row 73-76. I’m trying to figure out the dc and hdc! Help! So far it’s been smooth sailing but this is my first time actually following a pattern, normally I just do my own thing, but I don’t know how to work in the dc and hdc stitches!

Hi
Love the pattern. Thank you for posting it.
I have finished all the pieces but don’t get the assembly.
The eyes are in.
The 2nd comment fold row 1 in half sew together to form nose? Does that mean fold down or across? When I fold it in half accross it’s self I get very confused on how I then join it so it is flat like yours.
I’m so sorry for what is such a silly question but I have only ever made one other Amigurumi.
Thanks
Denise @mrst_crochet

I’m a crochet knitter in Korea. I’m very glad that I made your wonderful work!
I posted the whale doll in my blog and so many friends really eager to make it.
Your free pattern is written in English, however, some knitters have difficulty in translation. So I want to translate your pattern in Korean and work it some SNS friends.
Would you please permit me to do it?

Hii Chiwei!
I love this whale. It looks so great.
As some others already said, it is hard for beginners to understand patterns in another language so here my question: Do you also have a german translation of your pattern?

Many, many, many thanks for the amazing pattern! I’m stunned by the design on the top fin. Just finished it for my 8 year old son who is mad about blue whales. I had to do the stripes like your first attempt! I am so happy as it is helping to encourage him to do more research about marine life.

Thank you so much for the amazing pattern! He is adorable! I have made one for a friend’s baby using a finer cotton/acrylic (80/20 – size 3 hook) and it worked beautifully. I am now making 2 more. Let me know if you would like to see some photos 🙂

first of all, hello and thank you soo much for this amazing pattern, many hugs from indonesia 🙂
as i try to follow your pattern, i’m having difficulties with the assembly, with the blue part is…longer (?) than the grey part? idk, maybe i’m the one in the wrong but i can’t make the mouth looks right 🙁 the mouth looks like 2 horns, and i have no idea what to do… please give e some advice, i’m really looking forward to the finished piece, thank youu

Took me about a week but I completed this beautiful whale. Curious what I did though.. I only ended up using 1 ball of of Denim Mist yarn for Color A. I followed all directions with the 4mm hook and branded yarn.

This was exactly the pattern I was looking for to complete a shower gift. Also, it’s the first time ever that I’ve completed a project by reading a pattern I usually watch video tutorials but I find this bey simply written. Thank you!!

I just wanted to comment to tell you that I am ABSOLUTELY, 110% in love with this pattern!!!!

This is such a simple, easy to understand pattern, I was able to follow this without a video tutorial! (I’m more of a visual learner)

I completed my first whale over the weekend, and due to me using two different brands of yarn, one side ended up being a bit looser than the other which gave him a twisted tail, and also proved that I need to work on my mattress stitch (lol)!

The next ones that I make I will definitely use stitch markers to mark the rows for the eyes, stitching the tail and placement of fins, which will make things easier.

Lovely pattern! I’ve already made first baby whale:-) Only wanted to ask about this part: ” work the mattress stitch through the left fin to sew the fin directly into the body. ” How do I connect three parts with the mattress stitch? Or do I only connect the fin to upper part and then return and connect the upper part with belly part?
Thanks in advance for the explanation! 🙂
You can find my whale here https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Potvoora/baby-humpback-whale

[…] searching the web for knitting and crochet inspiration for this yarn I came across the Baby humpback whale crochet pattern from One Dog Woof. I fell in love instantly. The project isn’t what one would think to use denim yarn for, but […]